The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

The histories of a mysterious book and its enigmatic author are painstakingly disentangled in this yeasty Dickensian romance: a first novel by a Spanish novelist now living in the US...The Shadow of the Wind will keep you up nights—and it’ll be time well spent. Absolutely marvelous.
-Kirkus

Barcelona, 1945: A city slowly heals in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, and Daniel, an antiquarian book dealer’s son who mourns the loss of his mother, finds solace in a mysterious book entitled The Shadow of the Wind, by one Julián Carax. But when he sets out to find the author’s other works, he makes a shocking discovery: someone has been systematically destroying every copy of every book Carax has written. In fact, Daniel may have the last of Carax’s books in existence. Soon Daniel’s seemingly innocent quest opens a door into one of Barcelona’s darkest secrets--an epic story of murder, madness, and doomed love.

“ Anyone who enjoys novels that are scary, erotic, touching, tragic and thrilling should rush right out to the nearest bookstore and pick up The Shadow of the Wind. Really, you should.” --Michael Dirda, The Washington Post

"Wonderous... masterful... The Shadow of the Wind is ultimately a love letter to literature, intended for readers as passionate about storytelling as its young hero." --Entertainment Weekly (Editor's Choice)

Kirkus

on
May 20 2010

The histories of a mysterious book and its enigmatic author are painstakingly disentangled in this yeasty Dickensian romance: a first novel by a Spanish novelist now living in the US...The Shadow of the Wind will keep you up nights—and it’ll be time well spent. Absolutely marvelous.

Publishers Weekly

on
Feb 12 2016

Ruiz Zafón strives for a literary tone, and no scene goes by without its complement of florid, cute and inexact similes and metaphors...Yet the colorful cast of characters, the gothic turns and the straining for effect only give the book the feel of para-literature or the Hollywood version of a great 19th-century novel.

Guardian

Reviewed by Michael Kerrigan
on
Jun 26 2004

That this elaborate nest of narratives stacks together so neatly is impressive; that the cogs which drive the action whir quite so swiftly and smoothly is little short of miraculous...what makes this novel so irresistibly readable is the emotional energy generated by the ups and downs of a big and varied cast of memorable characters.

Guardian

Reviewed by Robert Colvile
on
Jun 06 2004

Daniel is a believably awkward teenager - compassionate (he rescues a former prisoner, Fermín Romero de Torres, from life on the streets), but naive and romantically inept... Zafón's novel is atmospheric, beguiling and thoroughly readable, but ultimately lacks the magic its early chapters promise.

Guardian

Reviewed by Michael Kerrigan
on
Jun 25 2004

The habit of allusiveness also inclines Zafón towards indulgence in his attitude to cliché: there are too many enigmatic smiles and impenetrable gazes here by half...Overall, however, he does not come across as a writer wrapped up in literary theory...

Book Reporter

Reviewed by Marie Hashima
on
Jan 31 2005

THE SHADOW OF THE WIND is a story within a story within a story. Still, the plots remain intact as Zafon writes about Daniel's search for the answers to Julian's mystery...This reviewer feels it has something for everybody...overall it is a wonderfully satisfying novel, making it a four-star winner.

Entertainment Weekly

Reviewed by Rebecca Ascher-Walsh
on
Apr 16 2004

While it’s difficult to categorize this mystery/romance/thriller/period epic, there is no question that Wind is wondrous...While managing to hit just about every genre, The Shadow of the Wind is ultimately a love letter to literature, intended for readers as passionate about storytelling as its young hero.

Booklist Online

Reviewed by Keir Graff
on
Mar 01 2004

It’s big, chock-full of unusual characters, and strong in its sense of place. Daniel’s initiation into the mysteries of adulthood is given the same weight as the mystery of the book-burner...This is rich, lavish storytelling, very much in the tradition of Ross King’s Ex Libris (2001).

The Sydney Morning Herald

Reviewed by Andrew Riemer
on
Jul 03 2004

...The Shadow of the Wind is a fascinating, disconcerting and (for me at least) ultimately infuriating yarn that consistently mingles brilliance and banality, acuteness and delicacy of observation with cliche.

PopMatters

Reviewed by Zachary Houle
on
Mar 29 2005

...Wind goes nowhere and just billows around aimlessly like a sheet of newspaper floating down a deserted, dusty street during a slight gust. What’s more, its villain is hardly menacing and does little but stand in the shadows for most of the book...The Shadow of the Wind really feels like only the shadow of a great book...

About.com

Reviewed by Colleen AF Venable
on
Feb 04 2015

But despite the completely original story line, more contemporary readers might be turned off by its verbose nature and unplausibility...Readers might easily get lost in the barrage of characters, and grow weary as Daniel paces the city...

The Dagger

Reviewed by Susan Kelly
on
May 12 2011

Zafon has such a gift for description that every scene in this book is palpable. As I read it, I had an uneasy feeling that my world was not what it seemed...at its heart, it is a story of an adolescent boy, Daniel Sempere, experiencing what he believes is love, living through an ultimate betrayal, and then finally growing to find true love.

Teen Ink

Reviewed by sithukorale,
on
Feb 03 2015

Mystery, tragedy, obsession, revenge, darkness and humor, romance and horror are somehow all mixed in this magical, rich, delicious read...The answers are a thousand times more shocking and delicious than you can imagine. The experience is made all the more wonderful by the colorful stories...

Curled Up

Reviewed by Brian Charles Clark
on
Feb 15 2014

The wind of speculation keeps blowing shadows of mystery down the side streets, pulling us on into the labyrinth in pursuit of the story of the novel within the novel. Zafón is a great-hearted writer, keenly aware that books are bits of soul-stuff and just as prone to the vicissitudes of time and place as are their human authors and readers.

Brothers Judd

Reviewed by brothersjudd.
on
Feb 20 2007

...there's a lot going on here and Mr. Zafon does an uneven job of keeping the plates all spinning. The gothic elements are intriguing, but exhausting...The love of books and reading is a welcome theme, but it is never really made clear to us why Carax should be considered a great author...

Book Review Circle

Reviewed by Sayan Mukherjee
on
Jan 28 2014

I however was not very satisfied with the plot nor with the construction. It seemed meaningless at many points and the plot was ridiculously simple to guess and fathom...A disappointing read for those expecting mental stimulation, however it can be used to brighten up a boring flight or train journey.

Fyrefly's Book Blog

Reviewed by fyrefly
on
Dec 22 2008

The writing in this book is beautiful, very evocative and full of linguistic twists and turns...But while I objectively realize it’s quite a good book, and I did enjoy it, it didn’t quite draw me in the way I wanted it too. It was a little too dense to fit my mood at the moment; a little too full of rambling bits that ultimately went nowhere...

The Book Smugglers

Reviewed by Thea
on
Oct 17 2008

Every once in a while, a book comes along that renders you speechless; wringing your heart with emotions too powerful to put into words; leaving you drained yet sated, joyously happy that you were able to find such a rare treasure...The Shadow of the Wind is one such book... I loved this book. Truly, madly, deeply. Go forth and buy it.

The Blue Bookcase

Reviewed by Christine Chioma
on
Apr 09 2012

Zafón is a superb writer. I loved the way he weaved the story and the observations made through Daniel's voice...I really appreciated the many layers and mysteries of the novel--there are multiple stories within this story...Definitely have a friend read it too. I really wanted to discuss it and hear other opinions

Literate Housewife

Reviewed by Jennifer
on
Sep 17 2009

If ever there was a Gothic author who appealed to book enthusiasts, it is Carols Ruiz Zafón. Both The Angel’s Game and The Shadow of the Wind are gripping Gothic mysteries. Where David from The Angel’s Game is an author, Daniel is a reader. For both, there is danger in every corner.

Of Books and Reading

Reviewed by Hungry Reader
on
Dec 20 2013

The book is about Barcelona’s deepest and darkest secret that is about to be revealed...Zafon’s characters are haunting and well thought after...The quality of writing, the old school setting, the power of storytelling, the characters and the plot, all come together and speak of books and reading and the love for them.

Take Me Away

Reviewed by Jenny
on
Aug 18 2009

I did think this was a great story and I can see why it has become sort of a modern classic. The writing was absolutely beautiful -- poetic at times... The story was also intricate and well thought out. I do love when a story is involved and has lots of different facets. If for nothing else, these two factors make this book worth reading.

I'm Loving Books

Reviewed by Sarah
on
Feb 10 2015

The Shadow of the Wind is a treasure chest of mystery and adventure with a moody, almost Gothic, underscore to it...this book was an incredible escape that I know I’ll want to come back to another day. If you’re a fan of books (which I know you all are) and mystery then you will most likely love this book.

King of the Nerds!!!

Reviewed by Mike
on
Mar 17 2009

As fantastic as I thought the book was I felt the ending was a bit lackluster. While it wasn’t entirely sunshine and roses everything wrapped up a bit too neatly...Regardless, I think that The Shadow of the Wind is a wonderful novel that reminded why I started reading in the first place.

Murder by Type

Reviewed by Beth
on
Jun 02 2011

THE SHADOW OF THE WIND by Carlos Ruiz-Safron is one of the best books I have read in more than a few decades of reading...Anyone who loves books and loves reading should treat themselves to this story which is about the love of the written word...this is a book about the power of words to transform lives, to broaden them, and make them richer.

http://mostlyfiction.com

Reviewed by Mary Whipple
on
May 15 2004

Lovers of the Gothic romance will be handsomely rewarded by this action-filled plot, as a sensitive and loving young boy comes of age while trying to unravel the mysteries associated with the elusive Julian Carax. Heavy, sensual imagery creates a sense of foreboding...

Murphy's Library

Reviewed by Guta
on
Oct 04 2010

The Shadow of the Wind is a book about another book and its author...It’s a story about secrets, and souls, and books. It’s a story to everyone that likes to hold a book, loves its smell or just likes to feel the pages between fingertips. An amazing story that surely will touch your heart.

http://sf-fantasy-books.blogspot.com

Reviewed by Thrinidir
on
May 25 2009

...this is so much more than a 'simple' mystery/crime story (which isn't all that simple to begin with), but a book about life itself and why it's worth living for - and what's worth dying for as well. So, like all great literature, "The Shadow of the Wind" transcends any simple genre labeling.

Reviews and Ramblings

Reviewed by Adam
on
May 27 2011

The Shadow of the Wind was written by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, and was translated from the original Spanish to English by Lucia Graves. I loved this book. It was an engaging mystery story with some fantastic lines throughout the book that made me laugh and smile throughout the book.